Control coupling for vacuum cleaner air supply



Oct-'14, 1958 J. H. coLEMAN ETAL CONTROL COUPLING FOR VACUUM CLEANER AIR SUPPLY Filed Dec. 29, 1955 NVENTOR. John H. ole/nan, Chr/sfo phef Andersonand BY Pres/ey vw Tapp.

A TTORNEYS.

United States Patent O N' CONTROL COUPLING FR VACUUM CLEANER AIR SUPPLY John H. Coleman and Christopher E. Anderson, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Presley W. Tapp, Wichita, Kans.

Application December 29, 1955, Serial No. 556,122

2 Claims. (Cl. 284-16) This invention relates to cleaning apparatus in which the stream of air is induced to enter a cleaning tool with suicient velocity to draw dirt and the like therewith, and more particularly to such a cleaning apparatus wherein an air jet therein induces the stream of air to enter the cleaning tool.

The objects of the present invention are to provide novel cleaning apparatus wherein an air ow tube has a cleaning tool on'one end thereof and a lter type dust collector on the other end with an air jet discharging in the air flow tube in a direction opposite to the air tool for inducing a stream of air to enter the cleaning tool; to provide such a cleaning apparatus with a connection adapted to receive an air nozzle `on an air hose connected with a suitable source of supply of compressed air and movable to engage the air nozzle with an inlet nipple of the jet member; to provide such a connection movably mounted on the cleaning apparatus for selectively effecting delivery of air under pressure to the jet member; to provide such a connection with an adjustable resilient air nozzle holding member; and to provide a cleaning apparatus that is very light in weight, economical to manufacture and easily manipulated and moved for efficient cleaning operations of automobile interiors and the like.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the cleaning apparatus ernbodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation from the cleaning tool end of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view` through the apparatus on the line 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cleaning apparatus taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2, showing an air supply connected thereto in operative position.

Fig. 5 is `an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view with the air nozzle disengaged from the jet inlet.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a cleaning apparatus generally consisting of` an elongate air flow tube with a through passage therein and having a cleaning tool 3 removably mounted on one end thereof and a filter type dust collecting member 4 communicating withthe other end and removable for emptying dust and the like collected therein. The air flow tube 2 preferably is a light weight thin walled cylindrical tubular member having angularly disposed portions 5 and 6, the end of the portion 5 being adapted to communicate with the cleaning tool 3.

The cleaning tool may be of any suitable shape such as is commonly used on the end of conventional vacuum sweeper tubes and in the illustrated structure said cleaning tool has a cylindrical portion 7 having a bore 8 adapted to tightly engage the end of the tube portion 5 whereby the cleaning tool is removably mounted on said tube portion. The cleaning tool is preferably held on the a 2,856,205 Patented Qct. 14.,"1 958 ICC tube portion 5 by friction; however, suitable detachable connecting means may be utilized. The end of the cleaning tool opposite from the connection 7 is preferably flattened to provide an elongated inlet slot 9 in the end thereof. The tube portion 6 is preferably provided with a rib or beaded portion 10 adjacent the end 11 thereof whereby a dust collector 4 may be removably mounted and secured to the end portion of said tube portion 6. The collector 4 is preferably formed of cloth substantially as conventional dust collecting bags on vacuum sweepers wherein air may pass through the cloth but dust and other particles be retained therein. The bag 4 has a reduced neck 12 adapted to sleeve over the rib 10 and be suitably secured to the tube portion 6 as by a drawstring 13.

An air jet tube 14 is arranged longitudinally of the tube portion 6 and in engagement with the outer surface thereof with the portion of said jet tube toward the cleaning tool being formed in a reverse curve 15 and terminating in a discharge portion or jet nozzle 16 which extends into an opening 17 in the tube 2 whereby the discharge end of the air tube has an axis parallel to the axis of the tubular portion 6 and air from the jet discharge is directed `through the tubular portion 6 toward the dust collector 4. The end portion of the air jet tube adjacent the jet discharge is sectued to the tube 2 by welding or the like as at 18 to provide an air tight connection. The end of the air tube 14 adjacent the dust collector 4 is bent as at 19 to provide an open` end extending radially from the tube portion 6 and terminating in an open end o-r inlet nipple 20. An abutment 21, for example, a pin, extends transversely of the end 20 adjacent the end thereof for opening a valve in an air connection as later described. A U-shaped member 22 engages over the air jet tube 14 adjacent the bend 19 and has its ends secured to the tube 2 to aid in holding the air jet tube in fixed position on the tube 2.

A bracket 23 has legs 24 fixed to the air flow tube 2 adjacent `the bend thereof whereby said legs straddle the air tube 14 and the bracket has a portion extending outwardly therefrom substantially at right angles to the tube portion 6. A handle` 25 has one end hingedly connected to the bracket as by hinge pin 26 whereby the handle 25 extends substantially longitudinally of the tube portion 6 and is swingable toward and away from same, with the free end of the handle portion toward the dust collector 4. The handle 25 is preferably of channel shape with the legs of the channel extending downwardly from the web toward the tube portion 6.

A clamp 28 is` arranged on the handle 25 between the legs 27 adjacent the free end of the handle for receiving an air nozzle 29 and positioning said nozzle whereby when the handle is swung toward the tube portion 6 the nozzle outlet or mouth will be engaged over the nipple 20 of the air jet tube 14. The air nozzle 29 is preferably a structure that is commonly used in gasoline service stations for inating automobile tires and the like, said air nozzle 29 having a shank connected by `an air hose 30 to a suitable source of compressed air (not shown). The air nozzle 29 has a valve 31 adjacent the outlet 32 thereof whereby when the air nozzle is inserted over the nipple 20 of the air tube the abutment or pin 2l will engage a projection 33 on the valve 3l to open the valve for flow of air under pressure through the nozzle and air tube for delivery through the jet discharge 16 to the tube portion 6 whereby the jet of air will induce entry of a stream of air into the slot 9 of the cleaning tool. The clamp 28 preferably is of resilient metal and substantially Z-shaped whereby a flange 34 engages the inner surface of the web of the channel shaped handle 25, said iiange being suitably secured to the handle by means of a suitable fastening device 35 such as a screw and nut. The handle preferably is provided with an elongated lo-ngitudinal slot 36 for adjustment of `the clamp longitudinally of the handle for alignment of the airnozzle received in the clamp with the nipple 20. The clamp 28 has a portion 37 extending from the flange 34 and terminating in a plate portion 38 having a slot 39 therein forming a bifurcated portion with lingers adapted to engage the outlet portion of the air nozzle 29 and hold the opposite portion of the nozzle against the web portion of the channel shaped handle 25, the legs 27 of the handle preferably being spaced slightly more than the width of the nozzle to cooperate with the web portion and fingers in forming a nozzle receiving socket. A gasket member 40 is preferably secured to the fingers or bifurcated portion of the clamp to increase the friction which removably retain the air nozzle on the handle portion.

In using a cleaning apparatus constructed and assembled as described, the handle 25 is swung away from the tube portion 6 and an air nozzle 29 having communica f tion with a source of compressed air is inserted into the nozzle receiving socket whereby the fingers ofthe plate portion 38 and the web of the channel shaped handle removably retain the air nozzle in position. Then the handle is swung toward the tube portion 6 to engage the opening or mouth of the nozzle over the nipple 20; however, when no pressure is applied to the handle the valve 31 remains in closed position. The cleaning apparatus is moved to an area to be cleaned, as for example, the upholstery of an automobile, and the slot 9 of the cleaning tool positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned and the handle pressed toward the tube portion 6 whereby the abutment 21 engaging with the projection 33 causes the valve 31 to open and air from the compressed air source toflow through the nozzle, air jet tube 14, and be discharged through the `jet nozzle or discharge 16 into the tube portion 6. and toward the collecting bag 4 inducing a stream ofV air to enter the slot 9 and drawl dust and dirt particles Atherewith for` ow through the air flow tube 2 to the dust collecting member4 4. When the pressure on the handle 25 is released, the valve 31 returns to seated position to stop the air flow.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims. v

What 4we claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1s:

l. A ycontrol coupling for an air supply to a `vacuum ber on the air duct in spaced relation to the air jet inlet nipple for swinging movementyof said handle toward said air jet inlet nipple, said handle member having laterally spaced lianges extending towards the inlet nipple, a clamp member` between the laterally spaced flanges on the handle member, means adjustably mounting the clamp 'i member on the handle member for adjustment longitudinally thereof, said clamp member having a resilient plate portion spaced from the handle member toward the inlet nipple, an air nozzle having a portion for connection with an air supply hose and having 'an air delivery mouth, a valve in said nozzle normally closing the air delivery mouth thereof, said air nozzle being removably received between the handle member and the resilient plate portion with the mouth of the nozzle adjacent the plate portion, said plate portion having lan aperture therein aligned with the inlet nipple and of a size that the nipple is insertable therein, and an abutment in the nipple adjacent the inlet opening thereof for engaging the nozzle valve to open said valve in response to pressure urging the handle toward the nipple whereby air under pressure is supplied to said air jet tube.

2. A control coupling for an air supplyv to a vacuum cleaning device comprising, an air duct, an air jet tube fixed on the air duct and having an air inlet nipple extending radially therefrom, an air nozzle having a shank portion for connection to an air hose and having an air delivery mouth, a valve in the nozzle normally closing the air delivery mouth of the air'nozzle, said valve having a reduced projection extendingl toward the mouth of the air nozzle, a bracket fixed on the air duct and extending radially from the air jet tube,'au elongate handle member having one end hingedly mounted on said bracket in spaced relation to the air jet inlet nipple'for swinging movement of said handle member toward the air jet inlet nipple, said handle member being' of a length to extend beyond said inlet nipple, said handle member having laterally spaced flanges extending toward said inlet nipple, a clamp member of resilient metal between the laterally spaced anges on the 'handle member, means adjustably mounting the clamp member on the handle member for adjustment longitudinally thereof, Asaid clamp member having a plate portion spaced from the handle member 'toward'the inletnipple, said plate portion having an aperture therein aligned with the inlet nipple and of a size thatthe `nipple is insertable therein, said plate portion, handle'member and laterally spaced flanges cooperating to define'a socket for removably receiving the air nozzle with the mouth thereof adjacent the plate portion, a gasket on the plate portion sealingly engaging the nozzle around the mouth thereof, the resilient clamp member'urging the nozzle toward the handle member whereby the frictional engagement of the nozzle with the gasket and handle member holds the nozzle in position for receiving the inlet nipple in the nozzle mouth when the handle member is swung toward said nipple, and an abutment in the inlet nipple adjacent the inlet opening thereof for engaging the projection on the nozzle valve to open said valve in response to pressureurging the handle member toward the nipple whereby air under pressure is supplied to said air jet tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent y UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,078,512 

